Union Budget Session 2024: 'White Paper' vs 'Black Paper' politics dominate the final week of proceedings

American embassies across the Middle East are shutting down and evacuating staff as Iran retaliates against U.S. and Israeli strikes. The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain has closed, diplomatic staff were evacuated from Jordan, and Americans in Kuwait have been ordered to shelter indoors. In Riyadh, two drones struck the U.S. Embassy compound, triggering blasts and smoke over the diplomatic quarter. Washington has issued a worldwide caution alert, urging Americans to leave multiple countries across the Gulf. With casualties mounting and regional bases under threat, the evacuation of U.S. missions signals a rapidly widening and dangerous conflict.